Geneva, 2 January, 2008

Rising tensions and violence in Kenya following a disputed election has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people with tens of thousands fleeing their homes.

In the western town of Eldoret in the Rift Valley, Reuters reports that about 30 people seeking refuge in a church died when a mob set fire to the building. Looting and fires have been seen in the area following the incident. Reports estimate that between 70,000 to 100,000 Kenyans have been uprooted by the violence in the country, with some people fleeing to nearby Uganda and Tanzania.

Members of the ACT forum in Kenya have met and are remaining in constant contact as they plan a response to the humanitarian needs following the violence and turmoil. ACT members report that the massive displacement from Eldoret requires urgent attention.

The ACT Kenya Forum has already mobilized the following resources:

- Church World Service (CWS) is providing emergency food relief (US $20,000) for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nairobi slums, who urgently need assistance. CWS is working through its implementing partner, the Kenya Evangelical Lutheran Church (KELC).

- Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) is providing emergency food relief (US $28,000) for IDPs in Kisumu. NCA is working through its implementing partner, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya (ELCK).

As the crisis continues to unfold, ACT members in Kenya will be closely monitoring the situation and determining the best ways to respond. The ACT Kenya Forum is in contact with the ACT Coordinating Office (CO) and is expected to submit a Rapid Response Fund (RRF) request followed by a potential ACT appeal.

ACT members in Kenya:
All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC)
Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK)
Christian Aid (CA)
Church World Service (CWS)
DanChurchAid (DCA)
Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH)
Lutheran World Federation (LWF)
Lutheran World Relief (LWR)
Methodist Church in Kenya (MCK)
National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK)
Norwegian Church Aid (NCA)

For further information please contact:
ACT Director, John Nduna (phone +41 22 791 6033 or mobile phone + 41 79 433 0592) or
ACT Program Officer, Michael Hyden (phone +41 22 791 6040 or mobile phone +41 79 285 2916)

Action by Churches Together (ACT) International is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide.